| |
(Guidelines and levels apply for all-star cheer and school/youth league cheer.)
- Determine which level your team should be. This link shows all USASF level guidelines and will explain what skills ARE and ARE NOT allowed at all levels (1-6).
- View the up-to-date USASF rules. Collegiate cheer teams will be following separate level rules. Click here to see the Collegiate Cheer Rules (link to new rules)!
- View cheer glossary if necessary for clarification. Click here for the glossary.
 |
| *Failure to follow any of the regulations below could result in a point deduction.
All decisions by JAMfest Event Directors are FINAL!
| 1. |
Teams must have at least 5 members. Please refer to “Divisions” in order to view the maximum, which depends on the division. Group stunts may have 4 or 5 members and should provide a spotter who is familiar with the routine for safety reasons. |
| 2. |
Time Limits:
- Cheer teams - 2 minutes and 30 seconds
- Dance teams - 2 minutes and 15 seconds
- Partner/Stunt Groups - 1 minute and 30 seconds
- Individuals (at Cheer Super Nationals ONLY) - 1 minute and 30 seconds
There are no minimum time requirements on any type of routine. Timing and judging of routines will begin with the first organized movement or the first note of music. Timing will end with a last note of music or the ending motion or pose is held. Introductions, spell-outs and/or organized entrances are considered part of the routine and are timed as part of the performance. All participants should walk/spirit onto the floor and immediately start their routine after placement of any props. Teams can use any combination of cheer and music. There are no requirements on this (all-star and school cheer teams). |
| 3. |
Any un-sportsmanlike conduct while entering or exiting the floor may result in a .5 deduction. |
| 4. |
Mascots are welcome to perform as members of their squad, but must adhere to all rules and regulations expected of team members. |
| 5. |
The main performance surface will be approximately 44 feet deep by 56 feet wide. For safety purposes, we require everyone to perform their routine on the performance surface. However, there will be no deductions for stepping off the surface. |
| 6. |
All routines must be suitable for viewing by audiences of all ages. Vulgar or suggestive material is restricted and will result in a .5 deduction for each incident. Vulgar or suggestive material is defined as any movement or choreography implying something improper or indecent, appearing offensive or sexual in content, and/or relaying lewd or profane gestures or implications. Vulgarity will be determined at the discretion of the judges and/or JAMfest Event Directors. |
| 7. |
Please bring TWO HIGH-QUALITY copies of your music to the JAMfest Event. CDs or IPODS/MP3 PLAYERS ONLY! No tapes are allowed. |
| 8. |
In the event that a routine is interrupted, the following steps will be taken:
- Due to failure of JAMfest equipment: The coach will have to decide within 2 minutes if they would like to perform again. Judging will resume at the point where the music was interrupted. The team will be required to take the stage immediately for the 2nd performance.
- Due to failure of teams’ music/equipment: The coach will have to decide within 2 minutes if they would like to perform again. The coach must provide a 2nd CD or MP3 player, and the team must immediately continue where they left off in the routine. Judging will resume at the point where the music was interrupted. They will not get a 3rd chance should the music cut out a 2nd time.
- Injury: If a team member is injured on stage severely enough for the music to be stopped by the coach and/or event directors, the team must continue from the point where they left off. They must immediately return to the stage to perform after the injured member has been removed from the performance area (2 minutes maximum). No extra practice time will be given, and judging will resume at the point where the routine was interrupted by the injury.
- *All final decisions will be made at the discretion of the Event Directors.
|
| 9. |
One (1) representative of your group/individual will be responsible for running the music during the competition. This person MUST remain at the sound area throughout the entire performance. In the event a routine is delayed due to operator error, timing of your routine will continue. No unnecessary team members, parents etc. are allowed at the music table. |
| 10. |
Coaches are allowed to sit on the stage/floor for TINY, EXHIBITION & SPECIAL NEEDS DIVISIONS ONLY. Coaches are not allowed to be on the stage/performance floor for any other divisions, with the exception of spotting routines. Coaches can always stand in the designated coaches area or VIP seating area (if applicable), which is typically located directly in front of the stage. Also, no team will be allowed to place “space markers” on the stage except for Tiny, Exhibition or Special Needs teams. This could result in a deduction. |
| 11. |
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY - VERY IMPORTANT! All JAMfest Events will go on regardless of the weather conditions – rain, sleet or snow! Please make any necessary travel arrangements so that you will not have any problems making it to the event on time. No special favors or performance times will be granted to those who arrive late for any reason (weather or otherwise). Furthermore, no refunds will be given on any JAMfest expenses. Please keep an eye on the local and national weather forecasts so that you are prepared for any inclement weather. You can also go to the JAMfest web site at www.jamfest.com to check out the latest weather forecasts on each event info page. |
|
|
|
In an effort to provide a safe performance environment, JAMfest is allowing programs to provide their own routine spotters. We feel that allowing programs to put trained and knowledgeable routine spotters on the floor that are familiar with the performances and areas of the performance that may need ‘special attention’, the overall safety of the competition environment is improved. JAMfest will allow teams to provide up to 4 of their own routine spotters for each or their competition performances. JAMfest will NOT be providing routine spotters. It will be up to the discretion of the coach how many routine spotters, if any, they choose to use. Please pay special attention to the stipulations and suggestions below:
DEFINITION OF ROUTINE SPOTTERS: Routine spotters are individuals affiliated with the performing program that are voluntarily provided by the performing program as a safety precaution for the routine. Routine spotters cannot be uniformed members of the competing team and must adhere to all “Rules for Routine Spotters.”
RULES FOR ROUTINE SPOTTERS:
- Routine spotters are there to help ‘catch’ falls and/or mistakes, not to assist or save skills. Routine spotters may only be used for stunts, pyramids and/or basket tosses. Spotting of tumbling is prohibited and will result in a .5 deduction for each occurrence.
- Flagrant contact by a routine spotter that assists a stunt, toss or pyramid may result in a .5 deduction for each occurrence. Point deduction is at the sole discretion of JAMfest. The decision of the judges is FINAL.
- Routine spotters must dress differently than the team so they are not mistaken for participants.
- Routine spotters are for safety purposes only and are not to engage in excessive behavior before, during or after the performance. Doing this will result in a .1 deduction. Routine spotters should enter the stage behind their team and exit immediately ahead of their team.
- JAMfest encourages the use of routine spotters, however, they are not required. Use your best judgment as to whether routine spotters are needed for your routine.
SUGGESTIONS FOR ROUTINE SPOTTERS:
- Routine spotters should look presentable. Remember, the overall appearance of your team and their performance is important. Routine spotters should appear “neat and orderly” in order to minimize distraction.
- . It is strongly suggested that routine spotters be at least 18 years of age.
- Routine spotters should make every attempt to be ‘inconspicuous’ during the routine. Remember, touching the skill WILL result in a point deduction. It is best to be present for safety reasons, but, unless there is a fall, not do anything that will appear to help or assist with the stunt.
- Routine spotters should be trained to know proper spotting technique. Routine spotters should know the routine(s), so that spotting is conducted as safely as possible.
|
|
|
It is the policy of JAMfest Events not to give specific rule interpretations over the phone. All official rule interpretations must be submitted on a DVD, full size VHS videotape or email. All videos must contain:
- A front, side and back view of the skill/section in question (do not send entire routines).
- A letter stating the question/request.
- School/Team Name and Event/Division entering.
- Coaches Name, address, phone and fax numbers and email address.
| Send to: |
JAMfest Rule Interpretations
Attn: Cheer Rules
11500 Champions Way
Louisville, KY 40299 |
Please bring the rule interpretation that you receive from us with you to the event. Only official rule interpretations from the JAMfest office will be permissible at any event.
All official rule interpretation requests must be received at the JAMfest offices at least 10 days prior to the event attending. Sorry no exceptions! |
|
|
|
